What's a good break-barrel pellet rifle?

I bought a Umarex 'Syrix' .177 yesterday afternoon and am not all that impressed with the accuracy. Although I do think I found the accuracy issue with my new pellet gun, I think I may buy a .22 or .25 caliber air rifle too

I have a .177 RWS break barrel, and the accuracy is excellent.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

RWS Diana M34 is about the cheapest good pellet rifle you can buy that can be worked on and repaired, most cheaper guns are basically throwaways if they need to be repaired. They are excellent quality with nice triggers and it's an old proven design and I think I paid about $190 for mine from Manventure Sporting goods.

RWS makes some of the best air rifles on the market, they're not the cheapest but you couldn't go wrong with their products.

I'll have to check out the RWS pellet rifles...

I think my Umarex gun from Atwoods might be ok....it works well...hits hard...however the accuracy stinks!

I didn't have a lot of time to shoot it yesterday evening....but couldn't get it dialed in with the 'iron' sights(plastic)….so I mounted-up the cheap Chinese scope that was included....couldn't get it dialed in either!

Looking the Umarex gun over post first shots...nice clean micro-groove bore...muzzle crown clean/nice...then I noticed the front sight assembly was about 1/4" or more too far forward. The front sight base is part of the barrel crown and should fit flush/tight against the end of the barrel. I whacked it with the palm of my hand and it slid back into place. Looks like loc-tite and a set screw is the factory install method. And they botched it

I think the accuracy issue I was having is because of the front sight base trapping muzzle blast as the pellet leaves the bore....just sending the pellet where-ever. We shall see this evening

Due to generally lower muzzle velocities, follow through is very, very important with air rifles. Don't know if still true, but decades ago was told an issue with break barrels is that leaving them cocked for long periods (not defined) is not good.

Pellet selection is also critical. Some of the pellet makers offer assortments of different style pellets so you can find the best shooting pellet for your particular rifle or pistol.

Search the internet for recommendations for your actual rifle model, and try several different brands and styles of pellets before writing the gun off.

I have a used 177 caliber Daisy M853, 10 meter training rifle I bought from the CMP and a Benjamin Marauder PCP in 177 caliber. With the correct pellet, both can shoot very tight groups.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

The Umarex came with a card recommending RWS pellets...all the store had was Gamo pellets and I notice those are not real consistant in skirt diameter....

RWS makes a product called the "Ultimate Pellet Assortment". There are five compartments in the container, each containing 100 .177 caliber pellets. I would suggest ordering a packet and giving them a try. One of the pellets in this assortment may help with accuracy.

If you can find/use the specific pellet Umarex recommends, that may also be a solution. My Daisy rifle shoots the RWS Meisterkuglein best....the Marauder likes the Crosman "Premier". It's really amazing how much difference the correct pellet can make. Daisy model 853 and 6 shot 50 foot group below. Very inexpensive Barska variable scope, RWS pellets. Rifle was purchased used from the CMP website....not pretty but you get a Walther barrel for $105.00 + shipping.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

I have the RWS Diana also. It has handled the crows in my apple orchard for years and is exceptionally accurate. Mine is in .177, but I think if I had to do it over again, I would opt for .22.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Feinwerkbau has very good air rifles. but we are talking around $700.

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Expect the unexpected

My weihrauch 22 cal has held up well over 10 years.Very accurate but it is heavy.It loves h&n field target trophy 5.53 or 5.54

You can't expect gilt edged accuracy from a break barrel at this price point. Considering how cheap a Syrix is, it's an amazing value. I see them on the internet for undeer $100. Air guns are difficult to shoot accurately. Unlike a firearm, the trigger sear holds the full forward force of the spring or gas-spring. They recoil like crazy from all that spring mass banging into the stops. The artillery foreend hold is mandatory, as is trigger and grip consistency. Shooting it a few hundred times to smooth out the mechanism also helps. You can get your Syrix to shoot better with enough tinkering and practice. It is very hard, but satisfying. Higher price point guns offer an easier path, especiall the PCP guns. As noted above, RWS rifles offer an excellent value compromise and better durability. My RWS 52 will make one ragged hole at 10 meters, but not without a lot of concentration.

Interesting, I´m just waiting the delivery of a Gamo Black Maxxim IGT Mach 1 in .177 cal.
Hope it´s as accurate as they say it´s powerful !
Regards, Ray

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The Gamo Bone Collector rifles are not a lot of money, come with a scope and are scary accurate for the price. I've been using one to keep t he grey digger and squirrel numbers in check this lat year and it shoots way above its price point.

I was talking to my coworker....he owns a Gamo 'silent cat' .177 and a Benjamin .22 pellet rifles. He doesn't like his Benjamin...but swears by his Gamo.

One thing I've looked for on my Umarex rifle and the packaging is the country of origin...have not found it(yet)

I'm zeroed in on the Crosman/ Benjamin Mayhem in .22. It has all the features I'm interested and I don't have to take out a loan to buy one. Though the scope that comes with it isn't the best, from what I gather.

Break Barrel air rifles are very hard to obtain consistent accuracy, due to the barrel lock-up/movement, and, forward/rearward recoiling of the spring/piston. Proper hold (artillery hold) and trigger control are very important as well. After playing that break-barrel game over several years with some pretty expensive RWS's, Beeman's, and a few other break-barrel rifles, and, not wanting to get into the whole PCP world of air rifles, I opted for an under-cocker. With an under-cocking lever, the barrel is always in a fixed position, thus, enhancing consistent accuracy. Some of the best under-lever cockers are the Air Arms TX200, or, the Wiehrauch HW97K. Another top tier under-cocker (which is what I ended up with), is the Air Arms Pro Sport. It's not inexpensive by any means, but, if you really enjoy shooting air rifles, and, actually like hitting what your aiming at, an under-cocking lever (or PCP) rifle is the way to go. I still have my Gamo Black Cat .177 that stays in my barn for rodents and such. But, for some serious shootin', it's my Pro Sport!

Air Arms Pro Sport .177 with walnut stock, 2 stage fully adjustable target trigger, Lothar-Walther match grade barrel, built-in moderator.
BKL 1 piece mount, Weaver V-16 Classic 4.5-16x42AO scope.

I have found an improvement in the consistency and accuracy of inexpensive pellets by "flaring" the delicate, hollow base of the pellet before loading.

The flared base of the pellets are easily deformed and then do not consistently obturate to the bore and rifling.

Any small, rounded tool that will gently reform the pellet base to its original flared, rounded shape is all that's needed.

John

I have an old RWS M36. Probably had it for 25 years. I was going to buy a new one about a year ago and did some research. I came up with RWS 34. Never bought it though so don't know what the new ones are like. If they're anything like the old ones they're GTG. I would have to say they have a very good reputation and proven quality. I'm not seeing how a person can go wrong with RWS. .22 would be my choice now instead of the .177 that I now have.

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That's just somebody talkin.

I agree with the others to look at an RWS or other Beman imported made rifle. I'd avoid the Spanish and Chinese made guns if you're looking for best quality. The RWS 34 is a good gun that won't break the bank. The Beman R9 is a great gun as well for just a little more money.

The fixed barrel guns (under and side lever cocking guns) normally hold a slight accuracy advantage, but I have several break barrels that shoot very well and offer more than enough hunting accuracy for my uses.

That is beautiful.

I didn't suggested it because it was said "break barrel" from the OP.

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Expect the unexpected

The world of air rifles can be a lesson in frustration. The ones really into it go so far as to buy pellet sizers, weigh their pellets, and the list goes on and on. For a decent, accurate, mid-range rifle look at the Diana 45 if your main focus is varmints. If you expect more, save your money, do some research, and buy the best rifle your money can buy. Just remember accuracy standards for an air rifle is 33 feet (10 meters) Beyond that it's a **** shoot.
Another thing to remember. With spring piston type air rifles if you are going to scope it, you MUST use an air rifle grade scope. I have seen these guns shake the guts smooth out of Leupold and similar quality scopes in a matter of a few shots.

Just remember that in ISSF 10 meter air rifle competition the 10 ring is a 1mm dot, and you only score a 10 if you completey obliterate the dot.

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Expect the unexpected

Actually Leupold rates their scopes for spring gun used. I've used Leupolds on RWS 350's and 48's (both scope killers) with zero problems. Bushnell Elites will also hold up. Burris told me their scopes are spring gun rated, but I killed two Burris scopes on an RWS 350.

Some of the cheapo "airgun" scopes will work on low powered spring guns, but generally don't hold up on the magnums.

I have been debating what to do for a new air rifle. With the money spent on a good springer, you could get into a nice PCP air rifle. I hate everything about springers and the violence of the piston when the trigger is pulled.

I am having a hard time spending the money on such because I “Need” another revolver.

You can always get this.



But it will cost you.

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Expect the unexpected

I have an RWS M34 in .22 caliber with a Hawke 4X mil dot adjustable objective airgun scope and Hawke mount. It's very important to get an airgun scope and mount with a spring air because they can ruin a good centerfire riflescope, even Leupold occaisionaly. The Mil dots really help with longer range aiming because those .22 pellets drop like a rock when they go past 30 yards. The only negative with my rig is, the elevation will get off sometimes after a lot of shooting because of the barrel droop at the hinge point. This is not a problem with iron sights since they are both attached to the barrel but it is a little annoying when using a scope. If I was doing it a again I would be tempted to get the RWS side cocker .22 pellet gun. Also a pellet pen is a must have item.

I ask what is a pellet-pen?

It's a 'pen-like' looking tool that's also known as a 'pellet depth seater'. The tip of the tool fits into the 'skirt' of the pellet as you push the pellet forward (aka: 'seating' the pellet) into the chamber. With the use of the tool you can obtain consistent seating/depth of the pellet each and every time. You can buy them, or, just use an appropriate size ballpoint pen. They aren't anything fancy.

I was just waiting to mention the ballpoint pen . We used them for years to seat pellets.

Thanks. It shoots a good as it looks. No, Better! I know the OP said 'break-barrel', but, if anyone is serious about getting a 'springer' that actually shoots well, an under-lever (or side-cocker), is the way to go. Just plan on spending around $600.00+ for a good one! Don't expect too much out of a break-barrel no matter how much they cost! Been there, done that.....

The only negatives I find with fixed barrel spring guns is increased weight, which may or may not be an issue, and some are a bit slower to load which also may not be an issue outside of hunting.

I disagree about not expecting accuracy out of break barrel guns though. For pure target work like field target matches, the fixed barrels due rule, but I've owned some very accurate break barrel guns. I have a Finewerkbau 124 Deluxe that shoots extremely well. My R9 is also pretty good. MY RWS 350 wasn't a target gun (few magnum rifles are), but it shot as well as my RWS 48 side lever.

Pellet pen

To me, cocking effort and the noise created upon firing are factors. I have used a match rifle in .177 for pest control and for that I think that .22 caliber is better. Greater velocity than the 560 fps developed by match rifles is a plus as well. I'm not spending several hundreds of dollars on an air rifle to be used for back yard pest control. A lot depends on the OP's intended use.

Knocking the front sight back on my new Umarex made substantial improvement on my new rifle's accuracy!

Just as important it seems is mastering the gun itself....like not letting the pistol grip contact the shooting bench(shoots high if I do). A tight grip on the thing seems to help too.

I believe I can cope with the accuracy now and I got the 'iron' sights dialed in good enough to hit a bullseye at 20 yards.

Looking over the supplied Umarex/Chinese 4x30 scope and it ain't much. The view is clear in the center...but distorted around the edges. I've heard spring/air guns can be hard on scopes...will a budget 4x30 scope like Tasco/Simmons etc hold together on an air rifle?

OK, I gotta ask: what's the "artillery hold"?

Re-reading this called to mind that I've seen forming dies to uniform your pellets. Can't recall where.....if Gil Hebard is still in business you might check them. Drop your pellet in the die, insert the spud and a more uniform pellet drops out. I expect it flares the skirts.

Here is a good article on air rifle scopes

18 Best Air Rifle Scopes in 2020 | Ranked by a Marine

Since the piston/spring on springer air rifles recoil both forward and rearward, you do not want to pull the rifle stock hard into your shoulder, or, hold a tight grip on the fore end, like you normally would with a center fire rifle. You want the entire rifle to move freely. The 'artillery hold' refers artillery guns such as a Howitzer, where the barrel recoils in both directions.


https://www.pyramydair.com/article/T...d_June_2009/63

If it has to be a break barrel, I think that Weihrauch is hard to beat. My HW35E is running well since decades.



Just for fun, the old Chinese AK trainers are hard to beat. I paid $39 at Kiesler's a couple of decades ago and the rifle still shoots well.

I'm very far from an expert but I shoot my Gamo regularly to keep the squirrels out of my bird feeders on my back deck. I'd even tolerate the squirrels if they'd share but they chase the birds away.

My rifle is a very inexpensive Gamo break barrel bought at Cabelas 25 yrs. ago. Caliber .177. Mounted a very cheap Tasco red dot expecting it to break but it hasn't. After many years of frustration with lead pellets I switched to Gamo Power Pellets which they call PBA Gold. They run faster than lead and are much more accurate in my Gamo. Lastly, it is very important to seat the pellet as straight as you can. I use a 22 LR round tip lead cartridge for seating. Since there's no lead in the pellet, I leave the dead squirrels for my neighborhood predators, i.e. barred owl(s), coyotes and red foxes.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

I have a Benjamin Trail in .22 with an unnamed scope. Mine will shoot quarter sizes groups at 40' and is still within 2" at 65' which is about the max I need. I get the best accuracy by far with Crossman Premier 14.3gr.
The .22 with it's lower velocity keeps the gun very quiet.

They sure have come a long way in power since I owned my Daisy 25 pump back in 62. Although my old Sheridan Blue Streak took 8 pumps for some decent F.P.S I am sure. Only gun I know that fired a 5MM or 20 caliber pellet. Had a pointy front I recall.

I have a as NIB FWB 124D that I never got to play with. Got it in 2008 and immediately had it rebuilt )the leather seals had long before rotted out), with a Maccari kit. The late, Charlie Da Tuna did the rebuild and we fired it ~10 times in his backyard. The following week I had major colon surgery and that put the kabosh on a fairly heavy break bbl.

Was right at $700 12 years ago and still worth that now.

Rob

I have a Gamo Big Cat .22 cal. pellet rifle, with break-open-action. Made in Spain, I believe. It's a pretty good pellet rifle. I don't shoot it very much, but it will print a 1-inch group or under at (late edit: about 50 or 60 feet) with a scope, depending on which pellets I use. I got the gun at a pawn shop for about $40.00. It was nearly brand new. That was about 3 years ago.



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So very Politically Incorrect

I love air rifles. I’ve had a Diana 34 Classic Pro for about 7-8 years now. I have found that finding the right pellets for your gun is important. With the right pellets, I can shoot 1 hole at 25 yards.

I’d like to go to a PCP, but the cost of the tank and such are too much to allow most to get into it.

One thing I’ve always wanted to do is to get a good used match air rifle like an FWB, mount a scope and just enjoy the wonderful feeling of shooting an air rifle with that kind of capability. A nice used FWB can be had for about $600. I wish they’d develop more velocity to enable shooting out to 50 yards, but that’s the way they are designed.

I’ve been eyeing the Hatsan 95 Vortex (nitro piston) for a while.
The OP might want to run a couple hundred pellets through his rifle before testing the accuracy. Many air rifles will diesel until all the oil in the barrel has been burnt off causing erratic velocities and accuracy.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

I have a pair of RWS model 48s in .177 and .22. I shoot the .177 a LOT. I have a trap set up at 50 yards and with iron sights (Added Williams Peep sight to the scope rail) it pretty easy to pop a soda pop can.. My measure of accuracy is minute of soda can with iron sights.

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Go West young man..

Hi, took delivery of the Gamo Black Maxxim IGT Mach 1 in .177 cal. and did a quick preliminary test today comparing it with my older Gamo Hunter also in .177 cal.
The Hunter shot a RWS Supermag 9,3 grains pellet at about 796 fps while the newer Gamo Maxxim did it at 910 fps.
Tomorrow I´ll travel to a friend´s place and see how accurate it is.

Regards, Ray

I still have my Finewerkbau 124D that my father bought for me in the 70's. It was a "magnum" at the time. Now it's just a nice shooting mid velocity gun. After my original seal gave out, I also put in a Maccari spring and seal.